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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Charles Babbage
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(1792–1871) Mathematician who spent much time and money in attempting to create an 'analytical engine', his concept for which is now accepted as the world's first digital computer. It relied on a system of punched cards, had a storage capacity or memory, was able to take account of its own previous calculations and had a print-out facility. Conceived in the 1830s, but never built, it was forgotten until his account of it was rediscovered in 1937.
Babbage did partially build in 1832 a sophisticated calculating machine which he called a 'difference engine'. A working version of this was created from his plans early in the 1990s by the Science Museum in London, and is on exhibition.
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